rejoice with me!

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11290 Luke 15.  Once again, Jesus is being called to task because of the people he chooses to hang around. One can hear the low growl in the voices of those Pharisees and scribes as they spit out “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (2). So Jesus tells a few more stories. In each of the parables there is a pattern: something or someone is lost, then found, then there is a celebration. Why be an evangelical? Why focus on winning the lost to Christ? The thing that brings joy to the Father’s heart is the rescue of the lost son.  Search now. Celebrate later.

LORD, may we share your joy by seeking the lost and bringing them back to you.

Posted in joy, ministry, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

we forgot something!

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11291a Genesis 22.  The wood for a sacrifice offering rested firmly upon his back, making it a bit difficult to climb Mt. Moriah, but Isaac did not complain to his father about that. He knew how important it was for he and his father to show appreciation for the LORD, who has always taken care of them. He glanced over at his father, Abraham, and pride warmed him as he saw the patriarch confidently carrying a torch to light the sacrifice offering in one hand, and a knife to kill it in the other. Then it hit him. “Uh, Dad … we forgot something.”  Abraham assures him that they did not forget. The one whose grace provides the sacrifice is the one whose justice requires it.  Centuries later, on Mt. Moriah, God provided his only Son for us.

LORD, may we worship you with joy, knowing that you have provided the sacrifice.

Posted in confidence, Jesus Christ, joy, the cross, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

his rod and his staff

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11293a Psalm 23.  David describes the LORD as his tender, the one who looks after him. The LORD guides him so that he goes down the right paths. The LORD makes sure he gets to the green pastures where he can feed without fear. The LORD’s staff is there to rescue him from when he strays, as he is prone to do. The LORD’s rod is there to protect him from the beasts of prey, or to discipline him for his own good. Guidance, provision, discipline and protection: these are the tasks of a leader. We learn how to shepherd from the  shepherd king. He learned from the Good Shepherd.

LORD, teach us to trust your leadership, and to lead in such a way that our followers are confident of their safety and future.

Posted in confidence, hope, leadership | Tagged | Leave a comment

prior commitments

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12032 Luke 14.  Jesus encounters a group of people who are interested in him, but whose prior commitments to traditions keep them from entering his kingdom.  He responds to this problem by giving advice and telling  stories. The advice about a wedding feast (7-11) encourages people not to let their ego keep them from entering. The advice about giving a banquet (12-14) encourages people to seek the needy for kingdom ministry. The story about the great banquet (15-24) shows that the LORD does just that: he does not waste his time on people who have prior commitments.  Entering into Christ’s kingdom requires a divesting of anything that might be a hindrance to total commitment. This includes family and self-preservation (26-27) and personal plans and goals (28-32).  Someone who is just interested in Christianity but is not able to make that kind of sacrifice is like tasteless salt (34-35).

LORD, help us divest ourselves of prior commitments and enter your kingdom whole-heartedly.

Posted in commitment, discernment, genuineness, kingdom of God, wisdom | Tagged | Leave a comment

access to all, resistance by many

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12010 Luke 13:10-35.  A synagogue ruler’s opposes a healing in his own place of worship. Pharisees try to get Jesus to leave their territory. And sandwiched in between all this Jesus described the kingdom as leaven in three measures of flour, and a place that can only be entered through a narrow door.  The point is that God has provided access to his kingdom for all, but many will choose to resist. At the heart of the resistance stood Jerusalem itself. Jesus wanted to gather his city to himself as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but they would not.

LORD, we give you our lives. Transform us so that we conform to your loving plan for your kingdom — our future.

Posted in eternal life, future, kingdom of God, submission | Tagged | Leave a comment

a generation’s doom

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12005 Luke 12:49-13:9.  Jesus knew not only that he was going to suffer a violent baptism (the cross), but also that the entire generation in which he lived would be under judgment. That generation would be torn apart by division among families. Neighbors would send each other to debtor’s prison over cases that could be settled.  Tragic events like Pilate’s killing of the Galileans and the fall of the tower in Siloam would become commonplace.  Jesus knew why these things would happen, but that generation did not. They could not interpret the time. Jesus knew that there was a fruitless fig tree in the vineyard of Israel. Unless that generation repented of its rebellion against him, that generation would be cut down.

LORD, may we repent, reconcile, and bear fruit for your kingdom before it is too late.

Posted in conflict, discernment, divisions, repentance, the cross | Tagged , | Leave a comment

preparing for the future

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12029 Luke 12:13-48.  The rich fool thought he was getting ready for the future, but he was merely laying up treasure for someone else to enjoy (13-21). The nations of the world think they are preparing for the future by worrying about eating, drinking, and things to wear, but their treasure is in the wrong place (22-34). We, the servants of the Master, are the stewards of his house. we should be providing for his household. That is how we prepare for the future.

LORD, give us wisdom to seek your kingdom and provide for your household and so be ready for you when you come.

Posted in commitment, discernment, faithfulness, kingdom of God, relationship with God, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

leaving the city

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12028 Genesis 19.  Lot’s wife looked behind her at the cities God was destroying and she became a pillar of salt.  She was not the only one reluctant to leave her past life. Lot himself begged that God spare Zoar, and God did — even though Lot eventually left that city out of fear (18-22,30). The daughters had lost their husbands, who stayed in the cities because they did not believe Lot’s warnings. The daughters cooked up a scheme to get Lot drunk, and committed incest with him so that they would have children. You can take the girl out of the city, but that is not taking the city out of the girl.

LORD, take the corruption of the city out of us!

Posted in commitment, holiness, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

listen, obey, be transformed

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12025 Psalm 19.  The believer can hear the voice of God in nature (1-6). The supernatural is possible, but not necessary. The believer can enjoy the treasures of God in scripture (7-11). What appears to be bondage to law to some are experiences precious as gold to believers (10). The believer has access to both forgiveness and transformation through a relationship with the LORD (12-14). Redemption involves both.

LORD, may we listen, obey, and be transformed.

Posted in nature, redemption, relationship with God, scriptures | Tagged | Leave a comment

choosing the right fear

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12018 Luke 11:37-12:12.  A Pharisee had invited Jesus to dine with him, and Jesus accepted. The Pharisee was astonished that Jesus did not follow his tradition of ceremonially washing his hands before eating. The Pharisee expected deference because he was a Pharisee. He expected Jesus to fear his position. Jesus looked beyond the man’s position and saw his inner hypocrisy. Jesus later warns his listeners to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Fear of man can cause a person to honour the dishonourable and overlook their sins. We should fear God, who has the right to destroy us in Gehenna — not man who can kill us — then can do no more.

LORD, give us the wisdom to choose the right power to fear.

Posted in destruction in hell, relationship with God | Tagged , | Leave a comment